Rusty-spotted cat sighted in Jessore

TNN | Updated: Jun 9, 2019, 9:05 IST

This is the second time in the last decade that a rusty-spotted cat has been seen in the state

AHMEDABAD: A rusty-spotted cat has been sighted at the Jessore Wildlife Sanctuary for the first time. This is the second time in the last decade that a rusty-spotted cat has been spotted in the state. The earlier sighting was in the Kutch region in 2013. "Since 2013, there had been no sightings of rusty-spotted cats, one of the smallest members of the cat family. This one was sighted recently in Jessore," said an officer. Ganga Saran Singh, deputy conservator of forests, Banaskantha, confirmed the sighting and said that the department had installed camera traps in the Jessore sanctuary and one captured a rusty-spotted cat. The specimen of the Schedule I animal sighted was an adult. The authorities say there could be more rusty-spotted cats in the sanctuary." Singh said that after the sighting the department stated maintaining a register of sightings of wild animals to help them identify species. Singh also said that the management plan for the Jessore sanctuary will now include management of the rusty-spotted cat.

Rusty-spotted cats ( Prionailurus rubiginosus) have greyish fur marked with reddish spots and brown elongated lines. The belly and insides of the limbs are white with large dark spots. It is between 35cm and 48cm tall and its tail is about 15-25cm long. Adults weigh around 1.5kg and look similar to leopard cats. Rusty-spotted cats are found in the Indian subcontinent, mainly in south India, parts of Gujarat, Jammu and Kashmir and Sri Lanka. They prey on small birds and mammals and are known to eat insects, reptiles and frogs. Primarily nocturnal, they rest in dense cover during the day. Partly arboreal, they are accomplished climbers.